Blade drive device and optical instrument

ABSTRACT

A blade drive device includes: a board including an opening; first and second blades opening and closing the opening; and first and second actuators respectively driving the first and second blades, wherein the first and second actuators respectively include first and second stators, first and second rotors, and first and second coils, and respectively drive the first and second blades through first and second drive members, the first drive member is arranged to overlap the first stator and the first coil in an optical axis direction, and the second drive member is arranged to overlap the second stator and the second coil in the optical axis direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2013/072450 filed on Aug. 22, 2013, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-210079 filed on Sep. 24, 2012 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-111175 filed on May 27, 2013, subject matter of these patent documents is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present invention relates to blade drive devices and optical instruments.

(ii) Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-175365 discloses a blade drive device in which an actuator drives a blade to open and close an opening in a board. The actuator is connected with a drive lever for driving the blade. The actuator and the drive lever are supported on the board.

The positional relationship between the actuator and the drive lever might increase the space on the board occupied by these members. This might increase the size of the board in the planar direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction, so that the size of the blade drive device itself might be increased.

SUMMARY

It is thus object of the present invention to provide a blade drive device having a reduced size in a planar direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction and an optical instrument having the same.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blade drive device including: a board including an opening; first and second blades opening and closing the opening; and first and second actuators respectively driving the first and second blades, wherein the first and second actuators respectively include first and second stators, first and second rotors, and first and second coils, and respectively drive the first and second blades through first and second drive members, the first drive member is arranged to overlap the first stator and the first coil in an optical axis direction, and the second drive member is arranged to overlap the second stator and the second coil in the optical axis direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a blade drive device according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the blade drive device according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a rotor, a drive member, and an output member;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view around a leading blade, the drive member, the output member, and an actuator;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views of load applied to the drive member;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drive member, the output member, and the rotor when viewed in an axial direction of an opening;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a blade drive device according to a variation;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the blade drive device;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a unit;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views of blade drive devices according to variations, and

FIG. 11 is a front view of a blade drive device according to a variation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 are exploded perspective views of a blade drive device 1 according to the present embodiment. The blade drive device 1 is also referred to as a focal plane shutter. The blade drive device 1 is employed in an optical instrument such as a digital camera or a still camera. The blade drive device 1 includes boards 10, 10A, and 10B, a leading blade 20A, a trailing blade 20B, arms 31 a, 32 a, 31 b, and 32 b, and actuators 70 a and 70 b. The boards 10, 10A, and 10B respectively include openings 11, 11A, and 11B. The leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B open and close these openings 11, 11A, and 11B. The actuators 70A and 70B drive the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B, respectively.

The leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B each includes plural blades. Each of the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B can shift between an overlapped state where the plural blades overlap one another and an expanded state where the plural blades are expanded. These plural blades in the overlapped state recede from the opening 11 to cause the opening 11 to be in a fully opened state. These plural blades in the expanded state close the opening 11 to cause the opening 11 to be in a fully closed state. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the blade drive device 1 in the fully opened state.

The leading blade 20A is connected with the arms 31 a and 32 a. The trailing blade 20B is connected with the arms 31 b and 32 b. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the arms 31 a, 32 a, 31 b, and 32 b are rotatably supported by spindles 14 a, 15 a, 14 b, and 15 b provided in the board 10, respectively.

Drive members 40 a and 40 b drive the arms 31 a and 31 b, respectively. Thus, the arms 31 a and 31 b correspond to driven members that are driven by the drive members 40 a and 40 b and that drive the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B, respectively. The drive members 40 a and 40 b are provided with drive pins 43 a and 13 b connected with the arms 31 a and 31 b, respectively. The boards 10, 10A, and 10B are respectively formed with escape slots 13 a, 13 aA, and 13 aB for permit-ting the movement of the drive pin 43 a. Likewise, they are respectively formed with escape slots 13 b, 13 bA, and 13 bB for permitting the movement of the drive pin 43 b. The drive members 40 a and 40 b will be described later in detail.

The board 10 is assembled with holders 80 and 90 holding the actuators 70 a and 70 b. The holder 80 is formed. with support walls 81 a and 81 b that respectively support the actuators 70 a and 70 b. The holder 80 is secured on the hoard 10. The holders 80 and 90 are secured to each other. The holder 90 is provided with plural engaging claws 98. The holder 80 is provided with plural engaging portions 88 which are respectively engaged with the engaging claws 98. The holders 30 and 90 are secured to each other by engaging the engaging claws 98 with the engaging portions 88. The holders 80 and 90 are made of a synthetic resin.

The actuator 70 a includes: a rotor 72 a rotatably supported by the holder 80; a stator 74 a excited to generate magnetic force between the stator and the rotor 72 a; and a leading blade coil 76 a for exciting the stator 74 a. The rotor 72 a is fitted with an output member 50 a as will be described later in detail. The output member 50 a is connected with the drive member 40 a. Therefore, the rotation of the rotor 72 a drives the output member 50 a and the drive member 40 a to drive the arm. 31 a and the leading blade 20A. The actuator 70 b has the same arrangement, The rotation of a rotor 72 b of the actuator 70 b drives the drive member 40 b to drive the trailing blade 20B.

The support walls 81 a and 81 b of the holder 80 are respectively formed with escape holes 85 a and 85 b. The escape hole 85 a receives a connection portion where the drive member 40 a and the output member 50 a are connected with each other. Likewise, the escape hole 85 b receives a connection portion where the drive member 40 b and an output member 50 b are connected with each other. The holder 80 is formed with spindle portions 87 a and 87 b for supporting the rotors 72 a and 72 b for rotation, respectively. A printed circuit. board 100 is secured on an upper portion of the holder 90. The printed circuit board 100 supplies the coils 76 a and 76 b with power.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the rotor 72 a, the drive member 40 a, and the output member 50 a. Additionally, FIG. 3 illustrates a state where the rotor 72 a, the drive member 40 a, and the output member 50 a are assembled into the blade drive device 1. The drive member 40 a includes: an arm portion 41 a having a plate shape; a support hole 42 a formed at one end of the arm portion 41 a and serving as a fulcrum of rotation; and the drive pin 43 a formed at the other end of the arm portion 41 a and extending in a predetermined direction. Also, a gear portion 45 a is formed on the upper portion of the arm portion 41 a. The rotor 72 a includes a cylindrical portion 72 a 3, and a permanent magnet 72 a 1 having a ring shape and fitted with the cylindrical portion 72 a 3. The permanent magnet 72 a 1 is energized to have different polarities in the circumferential direction. The permanent magnet 72 a 1 is fitted with the upper side of the cylindrical portion 72 a 3 and is not rotated relative thereto. The output member 50 a is fitted with the lower side of the cylindrical portion 72 a 3 and is not rotated relative thereto. Thus, the output member 50 a rotates together with the rotor 72 a. The permanent magnet 72 a 1 and the cylindrical portion 72 a 3 are integrally formed with each other.

The output member 50 a includes: a cylindrical portion 52 a having a substantially cylindrical shape and fitted with the cylindrical portion 72 a 3; a projection portion 54 a projecting from the cylindrical portion 52 a in the radially outward direction; and a gear portion 55 a formed at one end of the projection portion 54 a. The gear portion 55 a of the output member 50 a meshes with the gear portion 45 a of the drive member 40 a. Thus, the force of the output member 50 a is transmitted to the drive member 40 a. Therefore, the gear portion 45 a of the drive member 40 a corresponds to a first connection portion connected with the output member 50 a.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view around the leading blade 20A, the drive member 40 a, the output member 50 a, and the actuator 70 a. Additionally, FIG. 4 is the sectional view of the blade drive device 1 viewed in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the opening 11. The board 10A is omitted in FIG. 4. The support hole 42 a of the drive member 40 a is rotatably fitted onto a spindle 84 a of the holder 80. Accordingly, the drive member 40 a is rotatably supported. Thus, the support hole 42 a corresponds to a support portion that rotatably supports the drive member 40 a. The drive pin 43 a extends in a predetermined direction and is connected with the arm 31 a arranged between the boards 10 and 10B. Thus, the drive pin 43 a of the drive member 40 a corresponds to a second connection portion connected with the arm 31 a. As mentioned above, the arm 31 a is connected with the leading blade 20A. The connection between the output member 50 a and the drive member 40 a is ensured through the escape hole 85 a. Specifically, the gear portions 45 a and 55 a are positioned in the escape hole 85 a.

Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gear portion 45 a of the drive member 40 a is positioned between the support hole 42 a and the drive pin 43 a. Therefore, the load applied to the spindle 84 a fitted into the support hole 42 a can be reduced, thereby making the diameter of the spindle 84 a smaller than conventional one. A following description will be given of the load exerted on the drive member 40 a.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views of the load exerted on the drive member 40 a. FIG. 5A is the explanatory view of the load exerted on the drive member 40 a in the present embodiment, and FIG. 5B is the explanatory view of the load exerted on a drive member having a structure different from the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the arm portion 41 a of the drive member 40 a is formed with the drive pin 43 a fitted into the arm 31 a, and the support hole 42 a fitted with the spindle 84 a. Thus, the arm portion 41 a of the drive member 40 a can be considered as a both-end-supported beam B that is supported at points A2 and A3, as illustrated in FIG. 5A. The point A3 corresponds to the support hole 42 a. The point A2 corresponds to the second connection portion where the arm 31 a is connected with the drive member 40 a. Herein, it can be considered that the gear portion 45 a formed on the arm portion 41 a to which the force is transmitted from the output member 50 a is a load P exerted on the beam B. The length of the beam B is represented by 21. A point A1 where the load P is exerted is considered as the center of the beam B. The point A1 corresponds to the first connection portion where the drive member 40 a and the output member 50 a are connected with each other. In this case, the magnitude of the shear stress in the point A3 is P/2. The magnitude of the bending moment in the point A3 is zero.

In contrast, in FIG. 5B, the point A1 where the load is exerted is positioned outside the point A3, and the point A3 is positioned between the points A1 and A2. That is, FIG. 5B illustrates a conventional structure where the support hole 42 a of the present embodiment is positioned between the gear portion 45 a and the drive pin 43 a of the drive member 40 a. As mentioned above, the point A3 means the fulcrum where the drive member 40 a is rotatably supported. Therefore, a part of the beam B between the points A1 and A3 can be considered as a cantilever beam that is supported at the point A3. The magnitude of the shear stress exerted on the point A3 is P. The magnitude of the bending moment exerted on the point A1 is PL. Thus, the shear stress and the bending moment exerted on the point A3 of the beam B illustrated in FIG. 5A are smaller than those of the beam B illustrated in FIG. 5B, respectively.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the large load is not applied to the spindle 84 a that rotatably fits into the support hole 42 a of the drive member 40 a. Accordingly, it is possible to make the diameter of the spindle 84 a smaller than that of the conventional structure where the support hole 42 a is arranged between the gear portion 45 a and the drive pin 43 a. This reduces the size of the blade drive device 1 in the planar direction.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the gear portion 45 a of the drive member 40 a and the gear portion 55 a of the output member 50 a are positioned in the escape hole 85 a of the holder 80. This reduces the thickness of the blade drive device 1.

Also, the size of the escape hole 85 a is set so as to permit the connection between the gear portions 45 a and 55 a. Thus, the escape hole 85 a is comparatively large. This reduces the weight of the holder 80.

Also, the gear portions 45 a and 55 a are connected with each other in the escape hole 85 a, thereby arranging the drive member 40 a and the output member 50 a close to each other. This reduces the whole size of the drive member 40 a and the output member 50 a. Further, this reduces the total weight of the drive member 40 a and the output member 50 a. Thus, the blade drive device 1 is reduced in weight.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drive member 40 a, the output member 50 a, and the rotor 72 a when viewed in the axial direction of the opening 11. In other words, FIG. 6 is the perspective view of the drive member 40 a, the output member 50 a, and the rotor 72 a when viewed in the axial direction of the rotor 72 a. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the drive pin 43 a overlaps the rotor 72 a. Specifically, a part of a trajectory of the drive pin 43 a overlaps the rotor 72 a. The rotor 72 a and the drive member 40 a are arranged in such a manner, thereby reducing the size of the blade drive device 1 in the planar direction. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the gear portion 45 a is arranged on a straight line that connects between the center of the support hole 42 a and the center of the drive pin 43 a.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a blade drive device 1′ according to a variation. FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 4. A drive member 40 a′ includes a support spindle 42 a′. The support spindle 12 a′ is rotatably fitted within each hole formed in a holder 80′ and the board 10. Thus, the support spindle 42 a′ corresponds to a support portion that rotatably supports the drive member 40 a. In such a manner, the drive member 40 a′ may be rotated by the support spindle 42 a′. In such a configuration, the load exerted on the support spindle 42 a′ is small. It is thus possible to make the size of the diameter of the support spindle 42 a′ small, thereby reducing the size or the blade drive device 1′.

In the embodiment according to the present invention, the blade drive device 1 has been descried as the focal plane shutter. The focal plane shutter according to the present invention is not a type for using springs as drive sources of the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B, but a type for using the electromagnetic actuators 70 a and 70 b. In a general focal plane shutter, the space, in which a blade drive mechanism for driving the leading blade and the trailing blade can be configured, is limited to a region near one of the short sides of the opening 11 on the board 10 in the present embodiment, that is, a region defined by the holders 80 and 90 on the board 10.

In a case of the focal plane shutter equipped with the leading blade and the trailing blade driven by the electromagnetic actuators 70 a and 70 b, in order to ensure high speed in these days, the space might be needed for a coil. Thus, the blade drive mechanism might be increased in size. In the focal plane shutter according to the present embodiment, the gear portion 45 a of the drive member 40 a is positioned between the support hole 42 a and the drive pin 43 a, and the large load is not applied to the spindle 84 a. This can make the diameter of the spindle 84 a small. Also, the trajectory of the drive pin 43 a partially overlaps the rotor 72 a, thereby reducing the size of the blade drive mechanism in the planar direction. Further, the gear portion 45 a of the driving member 40 a and the gear portion 55 a of the output member 50 a are arranged in the escape hole 85 a, whereby the thickness of the blade drive mechanism can be reduced in thickness direction, that is, in the direction of the spindle 84 a. Thus, in the focal plane shutter of the blade drive device 1 according to the present invention, the thickness thereof is reduced in the optical axis direction parallel to the spindle 84 a, and the size is reduced in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

Next, the arrangements of the actuators 70 a and 70 b in the blade drive device 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a front view of the blade drive device 1. Additionally, parts are omitted in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the rotors 72 a and 72 b are arranged to sandwich the coils 76 a and 76 b. In other words, the rotors 72 a and 72 b are respectively located at both ends of the holder 80 in the movable direction. of the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B. In such a way, although the actuators 70 a and 70 b are adjacent to each other, the rotors 72 a and 72 b are spaced apart from each other. This prevents the rotors 72 a and 72 b from magnetically influencing each other and from influencing the driving properties of the rotors 72 a and 72 b. It is therefore possible to ensure the desired driving properties of the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B. Herein, the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B are an example of first and second blades. The actuators 70 a and 70 b are an example of first and second actuators. The rotors 72 a and 72 b are an example of first and second rotors. The coils 76 a and 76 b are an example of first and second coils.

For example, the exposure operation is performed as follows. In the state where the leading blade 20A closes the opening 11 and the trailing blade 20B recedes from the opening 11 and the rotors 72 a and 72 b stop, the rotor 72 a starts rotating and the leading blade 20A moves away from the opening 11 to open the opening 11. After that, the rotor 72 b starts rotating and the trailing blade 20B closes the opening 11. In this manner, the timing when the rotor 72 a starts rotating is different from the timing when the rotor 72 b starts rotating in the exposure operation. Therefore, for example, there is a state where one of the rotors 72 a and 72 b is rotating and the other stops. Thus, in a case where the two rotors 72 a and 72 b are adjacent to each other, the rotation of one of the rotors 72 a and 72 b might change the magnetic field to influence the other of the rotors 72 a and 72 b. Specifically, the change in the magnetic field of the rotor 72 a that firstly starts rotating might cause variations in the timing when the rotor 72 b starts rotating. This might cause variations in the period from the time when the leading blade 20A starts opening the opening 11 to the time when the trailing blade 20B fully closes the opening 11, that is, in the exposure period. However, in the present embodiment as mentioned above, the rotors 72 a and 72 b are not adjacent to each other, whereby the driving properties of the rotors 72 a and 72 b are prevented from being influenced.

Additionally, the actuators 70 a and 70 b are arranged such the longitudinal directions thereof are the same as the movable direction of the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B. Further, the actuators 70 a and 70 b are arranged in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the rotors 72 a and 72 b are respectively arranged at both ends of the whole region of the actuators 70 a and 70 b in its longitudinal direction. It is therefore possible to further ensure the interval between the rotors 72 a and 72 b. This prevents the rotors 72 a and 72 b from magnetically influencing each other and from influencing the driving properties of the rotors 72 a and 72 b.

Also, FIG. 8 illustrates the rotational ranges of the drive members 40 a and 40 b. Herein, when the blade drive device 1 is viewed in the direction of the optical axis passing through the opening 11, at least part of the drive member 40 a and at least part of the output member 50 a overlap the stator 74 a or the coil 76 a. Likewise, at least part of the drive member 40 b and at least part of the output member 50 b overlap the stator 74 b or the coil 76 b. Therefore, the coils 76 a and 76 b each having a large size can be employed. Likewise, the stators 74 a and 74 b each having a large size can be employed. Accordingly, the torque and the speed of the rotors 72 a and 72 b can be improved. Thus, the movement speed of the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B can be improved, so the shutter speed can be improved. Additionally, at least part of the drive member 40 a or at least part of the output member 50 a may protrudes from at least part of the stator 74 a and the coil 76 a. Likewise, at least part of the drive member 40 b or at least part of the output member 50 b may protrudes from at least part of the stator 74 b and the coil 76 b. Herein, the output members 50 a and 50 b are an example of first and second output members. The drive members 40 a and 40 b are an example of first and second drive members. The stators 74 a and 74 b are an example of first and second stators.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, when the blade drive devices 1 and 1′ are viewed in the direction of the optical path passing through the opening 11, the rotational ranges of the drive members 40 a and 40 a′ are set not to overlap a region R beneath the spindle portion 87 a. Likewise, the rotational range of the drive member 40 b is set not to overlap a region beneath the spindle portion 87 b. This can ensure the thicknesses of portions of the holder 80 supporting roots of the spindle portions 87 a and 87 b that respectively support the rotors 72 a and 72 b for rotation. This makes it possible to ensure the rigidity of the root portions of the spindle portions 87 a and 87 b, thereby supporting the rotors 72 a and 72 b in a stable manner.

Further, the ratio of the gear portion 45 a to the gear portion 55 a is set such that the rotational speed of the drive member 40 a is greater than that of the output member 50 a. That is, the pitch diameter of the gear portion 45 a is larger than that of the gear portion 55 a. Likewise, the ratio of the gear portion 45 b to the gear portion 55 b is set such that the rotational speed of the drive member 40 b is greater than that of the output member 50 b. Therefore, the drive members 40 a and 40 b can be respectively rotated much faster than the rotors 72 a and 72 b, thereby improving the movement speed of the leading blade 20A and the trailing blade 20B. This also improves the shutter speed.

Further, as mentioned above, the drive force of the actuator 70 a is transmitted to the leading blade 20A through the gear portions 45 a and 55 a. There is backlash between the gear portions 45 a and 55 a in order to facilitate the rotation thereof. That is, a certain clearance between the gear portions 45 a and 55 a is ensured. The drive member 40 a rotates and the drive pin 43 a abuts the end portion of the escape slot 13 a and the like, so the leading blade 20A stops. When the leading blade 20A stops, the impact is applied to the drive member 40 a. This impact can be absorbed by the backlash provided between the gear portions 45 a and 55 a. It is therefore possible to reduce the load on the drive member 40 a and the output member 50 a. It is also possible to prevent the bound of the drive member 40 a when the drive member 40 a abuts the end portion of the escape slot 13 a or the like. This prevents the leading blade 20A receding from the opening 11 from moving toward the opening 11 again due to the bound of the drive member 40 a. The drive member 40 b, the output member 50 b, and the trailing blade 20B have the same arrangement. Herein, the gear portions 55 a and 55 b are respective examples of first and second output teeth portions. The gear portions 45 a and 45 b are respective examples of first and second following teeth portions.

Additionally, the output members 50 a and 50 b are integrally formed with the rotors 72 a and 72 b, respectively. For example, laser welding is used, but other welding or insert molding may be used. Further, the rotor 72 a and the output member 50 a may be integrally made of a resin mixed with magnetic powder.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a unit U. The unit U includes the holders 80 and 90, and the actuators 70 a and 70 b. In such a way, the two actuators 70 a and 70 b are attached to the holders 80 and 90 to be assembled into the single unit U, handled, and managed. In this manner, the unit U integrated with the holders 80 and 90 is attached to the board 10 or the like, so the blade drive device 1 is accomplished. Thus, the unit U can be tested for operation before being attached to the board 10 or the like. For example, in a case where the actuator 70 a or the like is found defective in the operation test after the blade drive device 1 is accomplished, the defective actuator 70 a or the like has to be replaced. Alternately, the blade drive device 1 equipped with normal parts has to be abolished. However, in the present embodiment, the actuators 70 a and 70 b are handled as the unit U, so the operation test of the unit U can be performed before being attached to the board 10. It is therefore possible to prevent the influence on the driving properties of the rotors 72 a and 72 b, and it is possible to avoid replacing defective parts and to avoid wasting normal parts. This suppresses an increase in manufacturing cost.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory view of a blade drive device 1″ according to a variation. Additionally, similar components will be denoted by the similar reference numerals, and a detailed description of such components will be omitted. Further, parts are omitted in FIG. 10A. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, actuators 70 a″ and 70 b″ are arranged away from each other to sandwich the opening 11. Also in this case, the rotational ranges of drive members 40 a″ and 40 b′ are set not to overlap spindle portions 87 a″ and 87 b″. Thus, rotors 72 a″ and 72 b″ can be supported in a stable manner.

FIG. 10B is an explanatory view of a blade drive device 1′″ according to a variation. Additionally, similar components will be denoted by the similar reference numerals, and a detailed description of such components will be omitted. Further, parts are omitted in FIG. 10B. The blade drive device 1′″ is provided with a single actuator 70 b′″, but not the leading blade 20A or the actuator 70 a. The blade drive device 1′″ is mounted on a camera in which an electronic leading blade can artificially move. As sequentially resetting charges stored in an image pickup element for every pixel line in a predetermined direction, the electronic leading blade artificially moves. Also in this case, the rotational range of a drive member 40 b′″ is set not to overlap a spindle portion 87 b′″, thereby supporting a rotor 72 b′″ in a stable manner.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a blade drive device 1 c according to a variation. Additionally, similar components will be denoted by the similar reference numerals, and a detailed description of such components will be omitted. Further, parts are omitted in FIG. 11. Adjacent actuators 70 ac and 70 bc are arranged to face the same side. In other words, only a coil 76 bc is arranged to be sandwiched between rotors 72 ac and 72 bc, the rotor 72 bc is arranged at the end of the whole region of the actuators 70 ac and 70 bc, and the coil 76 ac is arranged at the other end thereof. Also in this case, the rotational ranges of drive members 40 ac and 40 bc are set not to overlap spindle portions 87 ac and 87 bc. Thus, rotors 72 ac and 72 bc can be supported in a stable manner.

Further, even in the above case where the rotors 72 ac and 72 bc only sandwich the coil 76 bc, the rotors 72 ac and 72 bc are prevented from magnetically influencing each other and are prevented from influencing the driving properties of the rotors 72 ac and 72 bc. Even in a case where the rotors 72 ac and 72 bc only sandwich the coil 76 ac, the same effect is achieved. That is, the rotors 72 ac and 72 bc that are an example of first and second rotors have only to sandwich at least one of the coils 76 ac and 76 bc that are an example of first and second coils.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and other embodiments, variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Finally, several aspects of the present invention are summarized as follows.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blade drive device including: a board including an opening; first and second blades opening and closing the opening; and first and second actuators respectively driving the first and second blades, wherein the first and second actuators respectively include first and second stators, first and second rotors, and first and second coils, and respectively drive the first and second blades through first and second drive members, the first drive member is arranged to overlap the first stator and the first coil in an optical axis direction, and the second drive member is arranged to overlap the second stator and the second coil in the optical axis direction.

Since the first drive member is arranged to overlap the first stator and the first coil in an optical axis direction and the second drive member is arranged to overlap the second stator and the second coil in the optical axis direction, the blade drive device has a reduced size in a planar direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical instrument having the above blade drive device. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A blade drive device, comprising: a board including an opening; first and second blades opening and closing the opening; first and second actuators respectively driving the first and second blades, wherein the first and second actuators respectively include first and second stators, first and second rotors, and first and second coils, and respectively drive the first and second blades through first and second drive members, wherein the first drive member is arranged to overlap the first stator and the first coil in an optical axis direction, and wherein the second drive member is arranged to overlap the second stator and the second coil in the optical axis direction; and a first output member rotating together with the first rotor, wherein the first drive member is engaged with the first output member and drives the first blade, wherein at least part of the first output member and at least part of the first drive member overlap at least part of the first stator and the first coil in the optical axis direction, wherein the first drive member is engaged with the first blade, wherein a rotational axis of the first output member is identical to a rotational axis of the first rotor, wherein a rotational axis of the first drive member is positioned away from the rotational axis of the first output member, and wherein the rotational axis of the first drive member overlaps the first stator and the first coil in the optical axis direction and is positionally displaced from the rotational axis of the first rotor.
 2. The blade drive device of claim 1, wherein an axis of the second drive member overlaps the second stator and the second coil and is positionally displaced from an axis of the second rotor.
 3. The blade drive device of claim 1, wherein the first rotor is arranged not to overlap the first coil in the optical axis direction, and the second rotor is arranged not to overlap the second coil in the optical axis direction.
 4. The blade drive device of claim 1, wherein the first and second rotors are arranged to sandwich the first and second coils.
 5. The blade drive device of claim 1, wherein the first and second actuators are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the first actuator and in a longitudinal direction of the second actuator, and the first and second rotors are respectively arranged at both end portions in the longitudinal direction of a whole region of the first and second actuators.
 6. The blade drive device of claim 1, wherein the first output member includes a first output teeth portion, and the first drive member includes a first following teeth portion meshing with the first output teeth portion.
 7. The blade drive device of claim 1, wherein the first output member is integrally formed with the first rotor.
 8. The blade drive device of claim 1, further comprising a holder holding both the first and second actuators and attached to the board, wherein the first and second actuators are unitized with the holder.
 9. An optical instrument, comprising a blade drive device, the blade drive device, comprising: a board including an opening; first and second blades opening and closing the opening; first and second actuators respectively driving the first and second blades, wherein the first and second actuators respectively include first and second stators, first and second rotors, and first and second coils, and respectively drive the first and second blades through first and second drive members, wherein the first drive member is arranged to overlap the first stator and the first coil in an optical axis direction, and wherein the second drive member is arranged to overlap the second stator and the second coil in the optical axis direction; and a first output member rotating together with the first rotor, wherein the first drive member is engaged with the first output member and drives the first blade, wherein at least part of the first output member and at least part of the first drive member overlap at least part of the first stator and the first coil in the optical axis direction, wherein the first drive member is engaged with the first blade, wherein a rotational axis of the first output member is identical to a rotational axis of the first rotor, wherein a rotational axis of the first drive member is positioned away from the rotational axis of the first output member, and wherein the rotational axis of the first drive member overlaps the first stator and the first coil in the optical axis direction and is positionally displaced from the rotational axis of the first rotor. 